The French Gratitude Train A Collection
of Objects from the Nebraska Boxcar

World War II brought devastation to
France. In 1947 Washington, D.C.,
columnist Drew Pearson initiated a friendship train, funded entirely
through personal donations, which provided $40 million worth
of supplies to help France recover. To show their appreciation
French citizens gathered forty-nine boxcars, decorated with plaques
representing the forty provinces of France, and filled them with
gifts for Americans. This "Gratitude Train" or "Merci
Train" arrived in New York City in February 1949, with a
boxcar designated for each state (the District of Columbia and
the territory of Hawaii shared a boxcar).

Nebraska's boxcar arrived on February 13,
1949. The Nebraska State Historical
Society distributed the gifts it contained to public and private
organizations throughout the state. Gifts designated for Nebraska's
Catholic communities were divided among St. Mary's Cathedral
High School in Lincoln, St. Cecilia's Cathedral High School in
Omaha, and St. Mary's Cathedral High School in Grand Island.
The Nebraska State Historical Society retained some 250 items,
many of which are included in this exhibit.

Thirty-nine of the forty-nine Merci Train boxcars were placed
in public locations and survive today. Nebraska's boxcar
was turned over to the 40 et 8, an organization founded
by American veterans of World War I. Unfortunately the boxcar
fell into disrepair, was moved to the state fairgrounds, and
eventually sold for scrap.

TOYSDolls & Doll Accessories

Doll Bed 7144-25 Doll bed with a sateen coverlet with
lace border. There is a small pillow under the cover. Attached
to the coverlet is a card that says:
"Madeoiselle M.Lamy, Directrice de l'Écôle
Sainte-Marie,
And her pupils, with their kindest thanks."
22, Rue Masson
Les Mureaux (S.-&-O.)"

Doll 7144-26
Doll with arms and legs that are one
piece and held on to the body with a string running through the
openings. On the back of the neck MOD5DEP appears in raised letters.
A card accompanies the doll and the front says:
"Orphelinat de la Préservation, 80, rue du Géneral
Bual, Nantes (Loire Inférieure)"
[Orphanage of the Preservation]
The back of the card says:
"Je m'appelle Marie France, et viens au nom des Petites
Bleuettes de Nantes vous exprimer toute leur reconnaissance."
[My name is Marie France and I come in the name of the Little
Blue Children of Nantes to express all of their thanks.]

Doll 7144-123 Doll wearing a regional costume with
brown leather shoes, a heart-shaped white mother-of-pearl locket
and white earrings. There is a note that says: "From people
of Boulogne."

Doll 7144-192 Doll with movable eyes wearing a regional
costume.

Doll purse 7144-32 [dup
3] Crocheted doll purse with a tag that
has the letter "G" on it.

Doll cape 7144-193-(1) Brown doll cape of impermeable oilskin.

Doll dress 7144-193-(2)
Cotton doll dress.

Doll dress 7144-193-(3)
Taffeta doll dress.

Doll jumper 7144-193-(4)
Doll jumper.

Doll beret 7144-193-(5)
Crocheted doll beret.

Doll clothes 7144-194
Hand-knit doll clothes tied together.
In the set is a dark blue hat, a pair of red booties, dark blue
pants, and a red sweater with dark blue mittens that are detachable
on each arm.

Doll 7144-133
Sleepy-eye doll with a china head and
wood body.

Doll bootie 7144-32 [dup1]
Doll bootie with cardboard sole.

Doll7144-25Composition baby doll in a sleeper
with a red painted belt, cream top, and light blue bib. Arms
are movable and held to the trunk with a string. Inscriptions:
Letters "NIL" cast in raised letters on back of neck.
Doll is 3.25" (8.2 cm) long.